Wall: Oil spill terrible; drinking water top priority

The province is trying it’s best to determine how long the Husky oil spill into the North Saskatchewan River will affect drinking water in Prince Albert an Melfort.

Currently P.A. is drawing water from its retention pond while a temporary pipeline to bolster supply is constructed. The line is expected to be ready by Friday.

Premier Brad Wall says right now they are focusing on response and looking at ways to clean up the spill. “We need to determine the long term ecological impact of the extent there is one and the best ways to clean it up. The good news is there is world wide experience we’ve asked the Saskatchewan Water Agency and environment to tap into. there is technologies that are available and so we want all of those explored and we have got to have complete restoration and rehabilitation in terms of habitat.”

Wall says the Water Security Agency is having trouble determining how long it will take before water will be drinkable again from the North Saskatchewan River.